Local Mom, Teen Among Mission Group Traveling to New Orleans

While teens her age spend the summer working, with friends or at the mall, Kayla Leach, 15, of Macomb Township, will be on a mission trip in New Orleans, where she will clean, paint, and do whatever she can to help those still feeling the affects of Hurricane Katrina. 

Although it’s been almost six years since the August 2005 hurricane flooded 80 percent of the city, there is still much left to do to rebuild the devastated area. Kayla and her mother Yalonda are among 21 teen and parent volunteers from who will spend a week in New Orleans ministering to people of the area. They leave July 1. 

“This is my first missions trip. I haven't experienced a lot in my lifetime, and going to New Orleans is an opportunity I wanted to take. Not only is this trip a chance to strengthen my own faith, but to extend a hand to people who live in area that are still struggling a bit,” Kayla said. 

The Shelby Bible Church missionaries will assist in various hurricane rebuilding projects. They will also clean and paint schools and minister to large homeless communities. This will be the church’s first mission out of state, although they’ve done much to minister locally. Almost weekly the church helps local people by providing food, fuel, counseling and prayer. Still, the church wanted to do more. 

“We prayed about it and decided on New Orleans because our teens are familiar with hearing all about Hurricane Katrina and we wanted to expose our teens to other places in our country that are hurting,” said assistant pastor Matt Hendrigsman. 

The cost of the trip has increased due to the jump in the price of gasoline. The church has about $9,000 and $3,000 is still needed. To raise funds the teens are hosting a yard sale on the church grounds on June 16-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church. They’ll sell furniture, large appliances, TVs, computer equipment, golf clubs, cameras, keyboards, kitchen items, baby and children's clothing and toys, clothes for adults, household items, and more. 

Tax-deductible donations are being accepted for the sale and the church takes anything that is in good, useable condition. Deadline is June 14 for new items. Anything not sold will be donated to the Salvation Army. To donate call 586-566-3825. 

Kayla is excited about both the yard sale and the New Orleans trip because it gives her further opportunity to help those in need. Through the church, she and her mother passed out food at Thanksgiving to needy families. Kayla has also volunteered at a shelter that assists pregnant women in need, her mother said. “I hope that Kayla understands how wonderful it is to show the love of God by lending a hand and helping others in their time of need,” Yalonda said.